Analysis of government data by London Councils found that the number of households waiting for social housing from London councils have hit a 10-year high. City News spoke to two Londoners on these waitlists, about their wait for accommodation.
Data recently released by the government shows 336,366 households on London local authority waiting lists for social housing in 2024. This is the highest figure for more than a decade, representing a 32% increase since 2014.
London is now the region with the largest number of households waiting for social housing, accounting for 25% of England’s national total, with at least 1 in 50 residents of the capital currently homeless or living in temporary accommodation.
Analysis by London Councils, a cross party group, suggested boroughs have been left with a ‘black hole’ of £700m in their social housing finances over the period 2023-24 and 2027-28, citing rising costs and the previous government’s cap on social rent levels as the cause.
As a growing number of households on waiting lists for social housing in London is the latest evidence of “spiralling pressures”, said Cllr Grace Williams, London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Regeneration.
“London is grappling with the most severe housing and homelessness crisis in the country. The capital is becoming increasingly unaffordable and, as these numbers demonstrate, there is a desperate need for more social housing.”
At the same time, boroughs are struggling with increasing numbers of Londoners requiring temporary accommodation.
London Councils estimates that boroughs collectively spend £4m every day on temporary accommodation – spending that has increased 68% over the past year.
‘I waited 6 years. Now will I wait 6 more?’
Angela waited 6 years on a social housing waitlist. Now, she tells City News she’s been ‘unlawfully evicted’, alongside her three children, by Richmond Council, and must start from square one.
“I originally applied in 2001. Now, the landlords are threatening an eviction on a day rate, and I cannot wait another 6 years. One of my children has learning disabilities. Temporary accommodation will affect all of our health.”
She also says the house was “neglected” by the council:
“I’ve been living in a property from the council with an open roof, unbearable conditions, and a blatant lack of response from housing authorities.”
Picture of Angela’s ceiling that has caused leaks into her council house in Richmond.
Cat, 47, who wished to change their name to remain anonymous, tells City News they were on the social housing waitlist for almost 11 years.
“I was on a waiting list short of 11 years before being housed. This was for Southwark.”
“We were stuck in Band 2 for 10 years, then fought tooth and nail to be placed in the highest band. A lot of letters from GP, School, and they put us there. 11 months later we finally got offered something.”
Social housing in London is allocated based on priority bands, which categorise applicants according to their level of need. Each council has its own system, but most follow a similar structure, with Band 1 as highest priority.
‘It’s just a policy failure – it’s a human crisis affecting thousands of Londoners’
Kane Emmerson, Head of Housing Research at campaign group YIMBY Alliance, told City News:
“The decade-high social housing waiting lists reflect a profound market failure in London’s housing sector. When we fail to build enough homes, our most vulnerable groups bear the heaviest burden.”
“While social housing is crucial in providing a stable, affordable alternative to private renting or homeownership, current provision falls woefully short. London councils can increase its housing supply with some Government support. What London really needs is the ambition to match the scale of the crisis.”
“To meaningfully reduce these waiting lists, we need to embark on an ambitious building program that delivers both social and private housing at scale.”
See how many Londoners are stuck on social housing waiting lists in your borough:
Top 5 Boroughs with the Longest Waiting Lists:
Newham – 38,417
Lambeth – 38,131
Brent – 33,263
Tower Hamlets – 24,519
Greenwich – 23,622
Boroughs with the Shortest Waiting Lists:
City of London – 1,072
Bexley – 1,479
Hammersmith & Fulham – 1,889
Kingston upon Thames – 2,109
Kensington & Chelsea – 2,923
Source: Imogen Yates Data: London Councils
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Headline‘It’s been 11 years’: London’s social housing waiting lists reach decade high
Short HeadlineSocial housing waitlists highest in 10 years
StandfirstNew figures show more than 330,000 on waiting lists for social housing in London - a 32% increase since 2014
Analysis of government data by London Councils found that the number of households waiting for social housing from London councils have hit a 10-year high. City News spoke to two Londoners on these waitlists, about their wait for accommodation.
Data recently released by the government shows 336,366 households on London local authority waiting lists for social housing in 2024. This is the highest figure for more than a decade, representing a 32% increase since 2014.
London is now the region with the largest number of households waiting for social housing, accounting for 25% of England’s national total, with at least 1 in 50 residents of the capital currently homeless or living in temporary accommodation.
Analysis by London Councils, a cross party group, suggested boroughs have been left with a ‘black hole’ of £700m in their social housing finances over the period 2023-24 and 2027-28, citing rising costs and the previous government’s cap on social rent levels as the cause.
As a growing number of households on waiting lists for social housing in London is the latest evidence of “spiralling pressures”, said Cllr Grace Williams, London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Regeneration.
“London is grappling with the most severe housing and homelessness crisis in the country. The capital is becoming increasingly unaffordable and, as these numbers demonstrate, there is a desperate need for more social housing.”
At the same time, boroughs are struggling with increasing numbers of Londoners requiring temporary accommodation.
London Councils estimates that boroughs collectively spend £4m every day on temporary accommodation – spending that has increased 68% over the past year.
‘I waited 6 years. Now will I wait 6 more?’
Angela waited 6 years on a social housing waitlist. Now, she tells City News she’s been ‘unlawfully evicted’, alongside her three children, by Richmond Council, and must start from square one.
“I originally applied in 2001. Now, the landlords are threatening an eviction on a day rate, and I cannot wait another 6 years. One of my children has learning disabilities. Temporary accommodation will affect all of our health.”
She also says the house was “neglected” by the council:
“I’ve been living in a property from the council with an open roof, unbearable conditions, and a blatant lack of response from housing authorities.”
Picture of Angela’s ceiling that has caused leaks into her council house in Richmond.
Cat, 47, who wished to change their name to remain anonymous, tells City News they were on the social housing waitlist for almost 11 years.
“I was on a waiting list short of 11 years before being housed. This was for Southwark.”
“We were stuck in Band 2 for 10 years, then fought tooth and nail to be placed in the highest band. A lot of letters from GP, School, and they put us there. 11 months later we finally got offered something.”
Social housing in London is allocated based on priority bands, which categorise applicants according to their level of need. Each council has its own system, but most follow a similar structure, with Band 1 as highest priority.
‘It’s just a policy failure – it’s a human crisis affecting thousands of Londoners’
Kane Emmerson, Head of Housing Research at campaign group YIMBY Alliance, told City News:
“The decade-high social housing waiting lists reflect a profound market failure in London’s housing sector. When we fail to build enough homes, our most vulnerable groups bear the heaviest burden.”
“While social housing is crucial in providing a stable, affordable alternative to private renting or homeownership, current provision falls woefully short. London councils can increase its housing supply with some Government support. What London really needs is the ambition to match the scale of the crisis.”
“To meaningfully reduce these waiting lists, we need to embark on an ambitious building program that delivers both social and private housing at scale.”
See how many Londoners are stuck on social housing waiting lists in your borough:
